Tainted Afghan poll results deferred again

Afghan electoral authorities have cancelled the scheduled release on Saturday of the latest tranche of results from controversial elections that have been overshadowed by fraud allegations.

The next batch of results from polling stations would be released on either Sunday or Monday, a spokeswoman for the Independent Electoral Commission said.

“It is because of a technical problem that we will not be able to make any announcement on Saturday," said Marzia Siddiqi.

She said the IEC hoped to be able to release the preliminary result at its next announcement. Final results are not due before September 17.

The IEC has been releasing the results piecemeal since the elections for president and provincial councillors were held on August 20. Throughout the labourious process of gradual announcements, both Hamid Karzi and Abdullah Abdullah, have each claimed victory.